on this show and i just hope that we can continue that dialogue in the same spirit to solve some of america's big problems. >> thank you, sir. i'll be back in just a moment from the white house. >> well, there you go. the president and michael smerconish and with an assist from tracy, ernie, joe and susan. david gregory, this was a good format for him. first of all, smerconish did a great job, the questions were good, and the president delivered his answers. >> i think the president's in a position right now where he wants to be face of this debate. the reality has been, for the white house, that these town hall meetings have, in some ways, we derailed their effort to sort of own -- the reason why they had a deadline before the recess to try to control the debate. it has spun out of control. here's an example of the president trying to bring it back under control. a couple of things stand out. the business about the public option is still a big deal. does the government want a government plan or doesn't he? by all accounts, he still does, but he's certainly going to be willing to compromise.